Albany bar's license suspended

By Steve Barnes Senior writer

Published 2:17 pm, Friday, February 11, 2011

ALBANY -- The State Liquor Authority on Friday suspended the liquor license of the college bar Sadie Klutz, located at 847-849 Madison Ave. The action comes as a result of a Feb. 5 raid that found more than 200 patrons in the bar, which has a maximum capacity of 80, according to the agency. More than 40 were minors, and 12 told investigators they had purchased alcohol or been given it by other patrons.

The establishment was cited for 17 violations, including sales to minors, exceeding maximum occupancy and failure to supervise the premises. In addition, investigators from the state Department of Motor Vehicles ticketed 10 minors for possession of a forged or fictitious license or with using another person's license. The raid was a joint operation of the SLA, DMV and Albany police.

"Bars that cater to minors will be shut down," said authority CEO Trina Mead in a statement. "The SLA will continue taking emergency action whenever a licensee's irresponsible behavior threatens the public health and safety."

According to the SLA, the Sadie Klutz licensee, listed as Thomas Michel, has a "disturbing disciplinary history" at the bar and another he previously owned, Michael's, formerly located next door to Sadie Klutz. According to SLA records, Michel's record includes:

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2005: Sadie's fined $4,500 for selling to minors, using an unauthorized trade name and for contaminated liquor bottles.

2008: Sadie's fined $7,000 for selling to minors and for charges involving an altercation.

2009: Sadie's fined $5,000 for use of an unauthorized trade name and for allowing alcohol outside the licensed area.

2009: Michael's license suspended and ultimately cancelled for numerous sales to minors and several other violations.

A current telephone listing for Michel could not be immediately located. The telephone at Sadie Klutz went answered on Friday afternoon.

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In December, the SLA suspended the license of Chubby's, another Albany bar catering to college students, for alcohol sales to minors and other violations. When Chubby's was raided, investigators found that more than half of the 200 patrons were underage.